1
Ex-England international Brad Shields reveals ‘desire’ to play for All Blacks
Brad Shields laughed it off but it’s technically very possible. The former England international has returned to New Zealand’s shores and is once again eligible to finally play for the All Blacks.
ADVERTISEMENT
During the height of his decorated career in the nation’s capital with the Hurricanes – including a Super Rugby title in 2016 – Shields was considered to be an All Black-in-waiting.
Many fans in the rugby-mad nation considered Shields’ selection to the glistening heights of the All Blacks to be a matter of if, not when. But that opportunity never came.
Years passed but the backrower finally entered the fray of Test match rugby in 2018. Shields was handed a start at blindside flanker for a crunch clash between England and New Zealand later that year.
Then-New Zealand assistant coach Ian Foster revealed that Shields had been “very close” to a call-up in the years gone by – but Shields was lost to the All Blacks. He was playing for England.
The All Blacks went on to win a thriller at Twickenham by 16-15 as a try to England flanker Sam Underhill was ruled out late in the Test. But life goes on.
Shields, now 32, represented England nine times before unfortunately missing the cut for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. Shields’ last Test was more than a few years ago now.
ADVERTISEMENT
As per World Rugby’s eligibility laws which can see former internationals switch nations after a standdown period, Shields’ return to New Zealand opens the door for a unique shot at history.
Jamie Salmon – born in 1959 – is the only man to represent New Zealand (7 caps) before playing for England (12 caps).
But no man has ever played Test match rugby for England before switching allegiances to New Zealand. Brad Shields could be that man.
“There’s always a desire to play at the next level, whatever that might look like,” Shields told RugbyPass. “To get the opportunity to play international rugby again would be an absolute dream come true.
ADVERTISEMENT
“But I haven’t really put much thought into it. I’ve tried hard to work on my mental game a little bit and I’ve been trying to block out these last few months just to ease my way back into the environment with Wellington and the Hurricanes.
“My first goal was to play really well for Wellington. Probably had a couple of average moments I reckon but the next step is to have a really good pre-season and put my best foot forward for the Hurricanes.
“All I can ask for myself is to play well and help the team, guide them, and hopefully point them in the right direction to play a Super Rugby final again.
“Whatever happens outside of that is out of my control from what I’ve learned over my career. I’ve just got to focus on what I can do in the moment and enjoy the moment as well.”
After helping the Hurricanes win their first-ever Super Rugby title in 2016, Shields went on to captain the franchise against the British and Irish Lions the following year.
Shields penned a deal with the London-based Wasps, though, in November of 2017. It was a telling blow for New Zealand and the All Blacks’ depth with the World Cup rapidly approaching.
The Hurricanes enforcer was still named as the team’s captain for the 2018 Super Rugby season before ushering in a new era in the northern hemisphere.
Having been part of two All Blacks wider training squads during his career – in 2012 and 2016 – the Wasps recruit went on to debut for England against South Africa in Johannesburg.
But after missing England’s World Cup squad, and with Wasps entering administration a couple of years ago, Shields had to look for a new base.
Shields found a home with Perpignan in France before being offered the chance to return to Wellington – an opportunity that “was just really good timing” after a “pretty stressful year.”
“It was a pretty stressful year or so with Wasps going under and having to go to France for the end of that season,” Shields said.
“For us, my wife and kids, we thought ‘What’s familiar to us’ and I had a couple of conversations with Jason Holland when Wasps went under.
“I said, ‘Look I’m really keen to get back’ and we had some family personal things that we had to get back to New Zealand for. I just said, ‘Would you like to float the idea past of (me) coming back and being a Hurricane?’
“One conversation led to another and it was as simple as that. I think it was in that moment before (Holland) knew about the All Blacks… it was a grey area where the club was going but I’m extremely grateful.
“It was just really good timing. Sometimes when it’s stressful in life you look for familiar things and this is familiar. It makes me excited.”
The Hurricanes’ Super Rugby title in 2016 stands as their only taste of championship glory in their history. Now that Shields is back, he believes the club is “due another really, really good season.”
While the Hurricanes were beaten by the Brumbies in the quarter-finals last year, and veterans Ardie Savea and Dane Coles are not part of their ranks, there’s plenty to like about this team.
With Du’Plessis Kirifi and Peter Lakai will need to step up alongside Shields in the absence of Savea, while Cam Roigard, Brett Camron, Jordie Barrett and Ruben Love are players to watch in the backs.
“We’ve got a real mindset of bringing the best out of our squad and the best out of our squad isn’t just the attacking flair that the Hurricanes potentially are used to.
“Success is measured by winning rugby games but we are going to lose games, potentially. We’re going to win games – we’re going to win games comfortably, hopefully. We’re going to lose games that are tight and they’re probably going to hurt more than any other games.
“The best way to grow is to go through a little bit of that adversity.
“We’ve already looked back on last season and where we fell short. Obviously, I wasn’t part of the mix but when you look back at some of those highlights from the Brumbies quarter-final you’re like, ‘Far out man’… we all feel the same even though we weren’t quite playing.
“I guess success is winning games and success is winning a championship but success for us at the moment is getting ourselves in the best possible nick to start Super Rugby.
“… The physical rugby aspect (of) getting our game plan nailed down and making sure we’re getting the best guys out of the pitch for round one.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Can’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
1 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to commentsWell done guys both teams will be ready to play knockout rugby.
1 Go to commentsSurprised that Ramos isn't starting at 15. But what a squad of galacticos!
2 Go to commentsWhy is it a snub? What journalistic garbage is that? Sure the guy is a great player, but there are plenty of loose forwards and not all of them can be Springboks. Also, I know of no-one who doubts Rassie’s judgment. South Africa has a conveyor belt of loose forwards that just keeps producing, so the competition is intense. I certainly wish him well, but there is no entitlement and there is no snub.
17 Go to commentsSkelton may be brought back for the Wallabies so that would be the only reason that may hinder Wilson. Easily the form, most skilful and game IQ of any Oz 8. Valentini’s best and favourite position is 6, but lineouts may be an issue with Skelton, Valentini and Wilson. Will be interesting what Schmidt goes for but for me Wilson should be picked on form. Schmidt rewards work rate, skill and consistency. All that glitters every so often won’t be in contention. Greely is one of those players that has a knack of making the right decision. A coach is going to love him because he knows week in week out he’s going to get the job done. The second try Greely wasn’t the guy who made the initial break it was Flook, Greely was at the bottom of the ruck when Flook was off along the sideline. Greely got up and made the effort to catch up with play but also read the play nicely and hit the pass from Campbell at pace and then held the pass beautifully to Ryan.
6 Go to commentsSpot on Ben. Dead right. Havili looked great at 10. Easily the highest rugby IQ of any NZ player these days. Getting a kick charged down is a result of getting used to adjusting your depth to the line at 10, which he will sort out with time. But other than that it was an outstanding first effort in that position this year. I think the NZ media has misunderstood this directive from Razor. Havili might rank behind B Barrett this year, but Beuden is 33 this month and won't last much longer. DMaC is great but flaky and not really a test match animal (his efforts in Dunedin versus Aus last year for example). If Razor can't have Mounga, DMaC is too unstructured for Razor (and is just too small for test rugby). Havili will end up our first choice first five, and in partnership with Jodie will be excellent. Two triple threat operators in tandem, and big bodies and tough tacklers to boot. Jordoe will be the ABs goal kicker. I am an Aucklander and Blues (and Warriors) fan, but Havili at 10 is going to be sensational in time… he can be the best first five in the world by the end of this year. No question.
6 Go to commentsSharks deserved to be far further back by the last quarter. Their tackling was awful, their set pieces were disappointing, their defensive organization was poor (especially on the Kok side of the D line), they kept making unnecessary errors, and they never looked like cracking the Clermont defense during those first 60m. Masuku kept them in touch, with some help from the Clermont generosity on penalty opportunities. Agree with the writer of this article. It was belligerence, and ability to raise their pressure game just enough, that turned the last quarter into a Bok-style shutout. Clermont have a reputation of not playing the full 80m, and there was a bit of that for sure. But, quite often when the intensity of a team drops off in the last quarter credit is due to the opponent for tiring them out. At 60m, with the Kok try, you thought that just maybe the game was on. At 70m, with the Mapimpi contribution, one felt that Clermont were fading, while facing a team that would maintain the pressure game through the final whistle. Good win in the end, but the Sharks are still playing way below their potential. And with their resources, and a coach that has had enough time to figure things out, they are running out of excuses.
8 Go to commentsGood riddance
1 Go to commentswel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
6 Go to commentsHard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
6 Go to commentsYeah nah, still not sure on Havili tbh. Even though I’m a Crusaders fan through and through I’d be stunned if Razor considers him after seeing some of the stunning talent coming through up North.
6 Go to comments